On Saturday, February 17, 2024, the Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation, in partnership with The Society of Presidential Descendants, is set to present six descendants of U.S. presidents who will engage in a moderated panel discussion on the grounds of the Harry S. Truman Little White House, 111 Front Street, Key West, Florida. An annual ticketed event that takes place before a live audience, the “Presidential Descendants Forum” is the largest Presidents’ Day Weekend gathering of presidential descendants in the country.
 
Scheduled to discuss the topic, "Political Maneuvering: The Powerful Influence of the Presidency,” are James Carter, grandson of 39th U.S. President Jimmy Carter; Clifton Truman Daniel, grandson of 33rd U.S. President Harry S. Truman; Ulysses Grant Dietz, great-great-grandson of 18th U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant; Mary Jean Eisenhower, granddaughter of 34th U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower; Massee McKinley, great-great grandson of 22nd and 24th U.S. President Grover Cleveland; and Patricia Taft, great-granddaughter of 27TH U.S. President William H. Taft.
 
Dr. Kurt Graham, Director of Independence, Missouri’s federally operated Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, will serve as moderator.
 
The Harry S. Truman Little White House, where President Truman spent 11 working vacations during his 1945-1953 administration, is Florida’s only presidential museum. In the past, the property has also hosted presidents Jimmy Carter, Dwight Eisenhower, William Howard Taft, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Bill Clinton.
 
Forum tickets are $40 each for Harry S. Truman Foundation members, $60 for non-members. The forum discussion begins at 4:30pm, with doors and cash bar opening at 4:00pm. Following the forum, winners of the inaugural Monroe County student essay competition will be announced, after which attendees can mingle and enjoy cocktails on the lawn.
 
Other Presidents’ Day Weekend events at the Little White House take place from Feb. 15 through Feb. 19 and include “Happy Hour at Harry’s,” a cocktails and presidential trivia competition evening, two live performances of the highly acclaimed stage production, “Give ‘Em Hell, Harry!”, a presentation by renowned artist Tom Corbin, creator of the monumental Harry S Truman bronze sculpture on display in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington D.C., and a traditional Presidents’ Day Cookout.
 
Presidents’ Day Weekend events at the Harry S. Truman Little White House are presented with the support of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. For tickets and information visit www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.org/foundation/events/.

While Tom Corbin’s highly coveted art works can be found in a veritable “Who’s Who” of public, private, and corporate collections and even spotted adorning the walls of fictional collectors in television and film stories, it’s probably safe to say his most outstanding accomplishment is his larger-than-life bronze statue of 33rd U.S. President Harry S. Truman, which was unveiled at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C., in late September of 2022.

On Sunday, February 18, from 10:00am until noon, the Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation will host the master artist for a special presentation to be held on the grounds of the Harry S. Truman Little White House, 111 Front Street, during which he will discuss the tools, research and processes he employed for his monumental undertaking, answer audience questions, and share insights on where he finds his inspiration. His presentation is a feature of this year’s “Presidential Families Weekend” events, and also launches the Foundation’s new TRU-ly Amazing Art series.

Based in Rosedale, Kansas, Corbin’s studio and gallery are housed in a historic 1912 firehouse with a compelling history of its own, reflected in preserved artifacts and fixtures that include a brass fire pole, a bank safe, and a jail cell. But art was not his first career, advertising was, and he reports that he came to art via “more serendipity than calculation.” Ahead of his Key West appearance, the artist agreed to answer a few questions about how he got from “there” to “here.”
 
Q: Can you describe what motivated you to explore your artistic potential?
Growing up with a mother who taught elementary school art, I was exposed to a number of art disciplines at an early age. Continually drawing for my own pleasure through high school and college, I never considered art seriously as a vocation. I assumed it would be a nice hobby to have. 
A variety of traditional sales jobs followed college graduation. My yearning for more creative employment eventually led me into the advertising business as an account executive. A friend at the agency introduced me to a bronze sculptor who was holding classes out of her home on Wednesday nights. Just for something different, I decided to attend her class. 
 
Q: Was there a turning point moment that caused you to make the leap from advertising executive to full-time artist?
From a practical standpoint, I realized there were few bronze sculptors in the Midwest. With my growing passion for casting and with the marketing knowledge I was gaining at the agency, I sensed that a career in art, sculpture specifically, might be possible. So, in 1986, I quit my ad job, rented a loft space and never looked back. 
 
Q: Your Harry S. Truman bronze statue is 8’ tall – 11’ if you count the pedestal. Had you ever created a human sculpture prior to this undertaking, and one of this scale?
I have done a number of life size and monumental human sculptures during my 37-year career. Soldiers, firemen, dancers, you name it. But I have never been involved with a commission of this significance and social impact. It has been such an honor to be involved with this project.
 
Q: You were one of multiple artists invited to submit sculpture proposals, and then later as a finalist, a preliminary model, or maquette. What are one or two features of yours that you feel were key to you winning the commission?
Through my research of Truman, I discovered that he truly considered himself a common man. He lacked pretense, was quick to shake your hand and relished a brisk walk around the White House or his home in Independence, MO. In addition to studying Harry, I also examined the existing sculptures in Statuary Hall, many of which seemed stoic and unapproachable. I wanted my Truman model to display just the opposite: relaxed and in motion, as if to greet you. To accomplish this, I have the President descending a set of stairs with his smile intact.
 
Q: How long did it take for you to create the monument, from beginning to end and what was your biggest challenge?
From being awarded the commission to unveiling Harry took four years. The actual time I spent sculpting the 8-foot Harry was about a year. The remaining time included molding, casting and waiting for approvals at each stage of development both on the state and federal level. The biggest challenge was the ability to please all the individuals involved whose approval was required. Also...patience was a necessity. 
 

Corbin’s Truman Statue, situated between George Washington and Ulysses S. Grant, is the tenth presidential statue to be installed in the Capitol Rotunda. It was commissioned by the Truman Library Institute for the State of Missouri, and funded through the support of Truman Statue sponsors. Much of Corbin’s research for the project was conducted at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum.
The “Presidential Families Weekend” and Tom Corbin’s “TRU-ly Amazing Art” event are presented with the support of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council.  For tickets and more information visit www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.org/foundation/events/

On Sunday, February 18, from 10:00am until noon, the Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation welcomes master artist Tom Corbin, creator of the larger-than-life Harry S. Truman bronze memorial sculpture that was installed and unveiled at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in September of 2022.
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Corbin’s presentation, which will take place at the Harry S. Truman Little White House, 111 Front Street, Key West, is a special feature of this year’s “Presidential Families Weekend” events, and also launches the Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation’s new TRU-ly Amazing Art series. The artist will discuss the tools, research and processes he employed for his monumental undertaking, answer audience questions, and share insights on where he finds his inspiration.
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The “Presidential Families Weekend” and Tom Corbin “TRU-ly Amazing Art” events are presented with the support of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. For tickets and information visit www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.org/foundation/events/. 

The Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation, in partnership with The Society of Presidential Descendants, is pleased to announce a series of special events to be held in celebration of Presidents’ Day Weekend, Thursday, February 15, through Monday, February 19, 2024, on the elegant tropical grounds of the Harry S. Truman Little White House in Key West, Florida, where 33rd U.S. President Truman spent 11 working vacations from 1945-53.
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Kicking off events on Thursday, February 15, from 5:30-7:30pm, is a special “Happy Hour at Harry’s Cocktail and Trivia” evening at which politicophiles can enjoy cocktails from “Harry’s Bar” while competing for prizes and glory in a presidential trivia battle of the brains.

Centerpiece of the multi-day event is a Saturday, February 17, forum discussion on the topic of "Political Maneuvering: The Powerful Influence of the Presidency” to be held among a gathering of distinguished presidential descendants before a live audience.

Moderated by Dr. Kurt Graham, Director of Independence, Missouri’s federally operated Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, this year’s scheduled forum participants are: James Carter, grandson of 39th U.S. President Jimmy Carter; Clifton Truman Daniel, grandson of 33rd U.S. President Harry S. Truman; Ulysses Grant Dietz, great-grandson of 18th U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant; Mary Jean Eisenhower, granddaughter of 34th U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower; Massee McKinley, great-great grandson of 22nd and 24th U.S. President Grover Cleveland; and Patricia Taft, great-granddaughter of 27TH U.S. President William H. Taft.

Returning by popular demand for the 2024 Presidential Families Weekend are two live performances of “Give ‘Em Hell, Harry!”, the long running, highly acclaimed stage production written by Samuel Gallu that spotlights the life and presidency of Harry S. Truman. Clifton Truman Daniel has starred in the role of his grandfather since 2017, and is the first direct descendant to portray a presidential ancestor in a stage production of this kind. A fast paced, faithful to history, and often humorous one-man-show, “Give ‘Em Hell, Harry!” will be performed Sunday evening, February 18, and as the long weekend’s finale event on Monday evening, February 19, with each beginning at 4:30pm. Staged outdoors on the grounds of the Harry S. Truman Little White House, tickets for previous year’s performances have quickly sold out.

On Sunday the 18th, from 10:00am until noon, the Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation will welcome renowned master artist Tom Corbin, creator of the monumental Harry S Truman bronze sculpture on display in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington D.C. Part of the Foundation’s TRU-ly Amazing Art series, in his presentation, Corbin will share insights on his tools and processes and where he finds his inspiration.

Presidents’ Day, Monday, February 19, the Little White House grounds will provide the setting for a family-friendly “Presidents’ Day Cookout,” with hamburgers, veggie burgers, and hotdogs available for purchase. A cash bar will also be available, and attendees are welcome to bring a picnic blanket for the 11:30am to 1:30pm event that will also include music and lawn games.

Other “Presidential Families Weekend” offerings are to include guided tours of the Historic Little White House and self-guided botanical lawn tours.

The annual “Presidential Families Weekend” held at the Harry S. Truman Little White House in Key West is the largest Presidents Day Weekend gathering of presidential descendants in the country. Traditionally hosted by The Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation, in 2022 the Foundation partnered for the first time with the Society of Presidential Descendants, a membership organization for individuals with direct lineage to one or more of the forty-six United States Presidents.

In the spirit of fostering youth political awareness and participation, the Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation and The Society of Presidential Descendants have announced an essay contest for Monroe County High School Students, with submissions to reflect this year’s “Political Maneuvering: The Powerful Influence of the Presidency” theme. In addition to cash prizes, First, Second and Third place winners will receive tickets to attend the Saturday, February 17 forum, where attending presidential descendants will introduce the winning students to the audience following the discussion. Interested students have until January 15 to submit their compositions.

The “Presidential Families Weekend” and the Tom Corbin “TRU-ly Amazing Art” event are presented with the support of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. For tickets and information visit www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.org/foundation/events/. For student essay guidelines and information, contact Foundation Deputy Director Michael Ables at [email protected].
 

The Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation, in partnership with The Society of Presidential Descendants, is pleased to present a series of special events to be held in celebration of Presidents’ Day Weekend, Thursday, February 15, through Monday, February 19, 2024, on the grounds of the Harry S. Truman Little White House, 111 Front Street, Key West, Florida.
 
Centerpiece of the long weekend is the annual Presidential Descendants Forum on February 17, featuring an assemblage of distinguished presidential descendants engaged in a moderated discussion on this year’s topic, “Political Maneuvering: The Powerful Influence of the Presidency.” Other events are to include a “Presidential Families Cocktail, Trivia, and Silent Auction Evening,” two live performances of the highly acclaimed stage production, “Give ‘Em Hell, Harry!”, starring President Harry S. Truman’s grandson, actor Clifton Truman Daniel, a presentation by renowned artist Tom Corbin, creator of the monumental Harry S. Truman bronze sculpture on display in the U.S. Capitol rotunda in Washington D.C., announcement of the 2024 student essay competition winners, and a traditional Presidents’ Day cookout.
 
The “Presidential Families Weekend and Forum” is presented with the support of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. For tickets and information visit www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.org/foundation/events/.

The Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation, in partnership with The Society of Presidential Descendants, is set to host a series of special events in celebration of Presidents’ Day Weekend, Saturday, February 18, through Monday, February 20, 2023, on the elegant tropical grounds of the Harry S. Truman Little White House in Key West, Florida.
 
Centerpiece of the multi-day event is a Saturday, February 18, forum discussion among a gathering of distinguished presidential descendants on the topic of "Working Across the Aisle: American Bipartisanship.”
 
Moderated by Dr. Kurt Graham, director of Independence, Missouri’s federally operated Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, this year’s scheduled participating presidential descendants are: Susan Ford Bales, daughter of Gerald Ford, 38th President of the United States; Clifton Truman Daniel, grandson of Harry S. Truman, the 33rd U.S. President; Mary Jean Eisenhower, granddaughter of 34th U.S. President General Dwight D. Eisenhower; Massee McKinley, great-great grandson of 22nd and 24th U.S. President Grover Cleveland, and great-great nephew of 25th U.S. President William McKinley; and Patricia Taft, great-granddaughter of William Howard Taft, the 27th U.S. President.
 
Forum tickets are $40 each for Harry S. Truman Foundation members, $60 for non-members. The Forum begins at 4:30pm, with doors and cash bar opening at 4:00pm. Following the Forum, winners of the inaugural Monroe County student essay competition will be announced, after which attendees can mingle and enjoy cocktails on the lawn.
 
At 5:00pm Sunday, February 19 and Monday, February 20, Clifton Truman Daniel, grandson of Harry S. Truman, will take the stage in a live performance of the acclaimed long-running stage production, “Give ‘Em Hell, Harry!” Truman Daniel is the first direct descendant to portray a presidential ancestor in a production of this kind, and both a scheduled and a popular-demand encore performance of the one-man show sold out last year. Seating is arranged at 2-top and 4-top bistro tables: 2-tops are $80 for Society members, $120 for non-members; 4-tops are $160 for members, $240 for non-members.
 
On Monday, February 20, the Little White House grounds will provide the setting for a family-friendly Presidents’ Day cookout with hamburgers, veggie burgers, and hotdogs available for purchase. A cash bar will also be available, and attendees are welcome to bring a picnic blanket for the lunchtime event.
 
The annual “Presidential Families Weekend and Forum” is the largest Presidents’ Day Weekend gathering of presidential descendants in the country. Traditionally hosted solely by The Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation, in 2022 the Foundation partnered for the first time with the recently founded Society of Presidential Descendants, a membership organization for individuals with direct lineage to one or more of the forty-six United States Presidents.
 
All events are to take place on the grounds of the Harry S. Truman Little White House, 111 Front Street, Key West, Florida. Other weekend offerings include guided tours of the Historic Little White House, self-guided botanical lawn tours, and ancillary cocktail parties. The “Presidential Families Weekend and Forum” is presented with the support of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. For tickets and information, visit www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.org. For questions, email Rachel the support of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council.

About the Presidential Descendants Forum participants:
Dr. Kurt Graham, moderator of the 2023 Presidential Families Weekend Forum, is director of Independence, Missouri’s federally operated Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum and author of the book “To Bring Law Home: The Federal Judiciary.” With extensive experience in the library/museum world, his background also includes serving as director of the McCracken Research Library at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming, and as director of the Church History Museum in Salt Lake City, Utah. He has a Ph.D. in American History from Brown University, a B.A. and an M.A. from Brigham Young University in English and American Studies, and previously taught undergraduate and graduate courses in American political and legal/constitutional history at California State University, San Bernardino.
 
Susan Ford Bales, daughter of 38th U.S. President Gerald R. and Betty Ford, was raised in Alexandria, Virginia and studied photojournalism at the University of Kansas. She is recipient of three honorary doctorate degrees and author of two novels. Ms. Ford Bales is Ship’s Sponsor for the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) and in 2016 was named an Honorary Naval Aviator by the United States Navy, becoming the first woman and 31st American to receive this distinction. Ms. Ford Bales lived in the White House while in High School and during her early college career, and following her mother Betty Ford’s surgery for breast cancer, served as official White House hostess. She and her mother helped to launch National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and she subsequently served as national breast cancer awareness spokesperson. Ms. Ford Bales served on the Betty Ford Center’s board of directors, first as a director, then as chairman, and currently serves on the board of directors for the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. She is a founding member of The Society of Presidential Descendants, has been a Trustee of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation since 1981 and currently is co-chair of the Foundation’s Programs Committee. In addition to numerous charitable and public service activities, Susan is Co-Trustee of the President Gerald R. Ford Historical Legacy Trust, Trustee of the Elizabeth B. Ford Charitable Trust, and the Honorary Advisory Committee of the Children’s National Medical Center.
 
Clifton Truman Daniel is the oldest grandson of President Harry S. Truman and his wife, Bess. He is the son of author Margaret Truman and former New York Times Managing Editor E. Clifton Daniel Jr. Mr. Daniel is honorary chairman of the board of the Truman Library Institute, nonprofit partner of the Truman Presidential Library and Museum in Independence, MO, and board secretary of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation. He was a founding member and currently serves as Vice President of the Society of Presidential Descendants. Author of “Growing Up With My Grandfather: Memories of Harry S. Truman” and “Dear Harry, Love Bess: Bess Truman’s Letters to Harry Truman, 1919-1943,” Clifton Truman Daniel is currently portraying his grandfather in the one-man stage show, Give ‘Em Hell Harry, as well as writing and lecturing on the Truman presidency.
 
Mary Jean Eisenhower is a granddaughter of 34th U.S. President General Dwight D. and Mamie Eisenhower. She was born in Washington, D.C. during Eisenhower’s first term in office, was christened in the Blue Room of the White House, and grew up in nearby Gettysburg, PA. She attended several schools in PA until her father, John Eisenhower, was named as US Ambassador to Belgium, where she lived with her family from 1969 through 1972. Ms. Eisenhower served as a Fellow at Stanford University and at The Churchill Foundation at Westminster College, and is president and chairman emeritus of People to People International. A global humanitarian, she has traveled to more than 75 countries, visiting demining teams and Peace Camps while supporting student and cultural programs. Mary Jean sits on the board of trustees for the Society of Presidential Descendants, holds three honorary doctorate degrees, and has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Knight of Peace Award from the International University in Assisi, Italy; the Medal of Honor from the Slovak Republic; The Harry S. Truman Award for Public Service; the Consular Corps Award of Excellence, and others.
 
Massee McKinley is the great-great grandson of 22nd and 24th U.S. President Grover Cleveland, and great-great nephew of 25th U.S. President William McKinley. He is a founding member and serves as vice president and chief of staff of The Society of Presidential Descendants. He holds an MBA from the Terry College of Business of the University of Georgia, and is the founding partner of Peerage Communications, LLC, an executive and political communications boutique consulting firm headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Massee has written for the likes of Delta Airlines, The Coca-Cola Company, LVMH (Louis Vuitton), Hermès and Ferragamo, as well as for three former United States House Speakers.
 
Patricia Taft is an interior designer turned political and popular culture aficionado and pundit. Born into the Taft Political Dynasty, Patricia is the great granddaughter of 27th President and 10th Chief Justice of United States, William Howard Taft, and granddaughter of esteemed Senior Senator, Robert A. Taft Sr., affectionately referred to as Mr. Republican. Patricia, a fervid proponent of civics education and the preservation of the integrity of the U.S. Presidency, currently sits on the board of trustees for The Society of Presidential Descendants. Specifically, as a member of the board of directors for National First Ladies Day, Patricia holds immense passion for maintaining the important legacy of American First Ladies, such as her great grandmother, Helen Herron Taft. Annually, she looks forward to celebrating her great grandmother’s legacy and critical role in bringing Washington D.C.’s many cherry blossom trees into fruition through the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Currently, Patricia resides in Santa Monica, CA, with her husband, daughter, and French Bulldog, where she enjoys focusing on her affinity for all things past and present American culture through the development of her upcoming podcast and children’s book series.